Should you consider traveling as a career? Maybe, or maybe not.

Ryan Anholt (Photos: courtesy of Delta Flex Travelers)

Where to go

Being mobile does not mean you will accept only traveling two hours from home. It means opening your mind to the entire country. At the very least, allow yourself to look at multiple states in a region. Obtaining a new license is typically not a difficult task. By planning ahead for time needed to process your application, you will increase the possibility of finding the job that best fits you.

This type of flexibility makes you a very marketable candidate for the best jobs. If you are tied to a specific location for reasons such as family, a spouse's occupation, or children, then travel may not be for you.

An adventure

Travel is an adventure and the reason many travelers have chosen this career. Traveling is a fantastic opportunity to see the country while working. You have the ability to live in an array of different communities, settings, and climates while working with a variety of people.

You must be open to newness and change. Certainly there will be anxieties along the way, such as a meeting new people, learning new processes, and staying in unfamiliar towns. But this is part of the allure of the lifestyle.

When you pull into a new town where you don't know anyone and your only connection to family and friends is the Internet, it is exciting and scary all at the same time. If you fear change and find comfort in stability, then maybe travel isn't for you.

A travel career is a great way to experience various settings to determine what you enjoy and where you can excel. It is also a fantastic opportunity to build your résumé. Many facilities require that you come skilled in certain areas, while others welcome knowledgeable, hard-working people who are willing to learn new skills. This type of flexibility will allow you to gain many different perspectives on caregiving from a variety of skilled practitioners.

Travel will not only help you determine what type of setting you like best, but also the setting in which you can thrive. Gaining this experience will enable you to find out what you want to do, as well as where you want to do it. Perhaps you are only comfortable in one type of setting or specialty. This does not mean that you can't travel, although it will limit your options.

Another upside to travel is that you usually don't get too involved in the politics of a location. Let's face it, many facilities come with their own political forces. As a traveler, you typically aren't there long enough to get involved in or lured into these types of situations. By the time you have all the players figured out, it's time to move on to the next assignment. But it's not all "water cooler" talk at work. You will also build long-lasting relationships and a network of colleagues.